FDA to Investigate Balding, Rash with WEN Cleansing Conditioner

What’s the Problem?

Between February 18, 2011 and July 7, 2016, FDA received at least 127 adverse event reports regarding WEN by Chaz Dean Cleansing Conditioner products — “the largest number of reports ever associated with any cosmetic hair cleansing product, including cleansing conditioners.”

The agency is also investigating more than 21,000 customer complaints submitted directly to Chaz Dean, Inc. and Guthy Renker, LLC, that were uncovered during inspections of the companies’ facilities.

FDA has not yet identified a possible cause for the adverse events, and asked the manufacturers to “provide any data that might help us to better understand the reports of hair loss associated with the use of WEN by Chaz Dean Cleansing Conditioner products.”

Doctors and other healthcare providers have been instructed to notify patients of problems with WEN hair care products, and to report them to the FDA. Users who experience negative side effects following use of WEN Cleansing Conditioner should discontinue use immediately and talk to their dermatologist or other healthcare provider.